The black belt grading in September 2013 was a special moment in my karate journey as I successfully passed to Sandan under the watchful eye of Sensei George Andrews. Alongside me that weekend was three of my students who were grading to 1st kyu. A lot has happened over the past year, including the move of the Honbu dojo to new premises in Peckham to make way for the demolition of the Institute of Traditional Karate-Do in the Heygate Estate. During the past 12 months the three students increased their efforts, making the extra commitment to train with Sensei George as often as possible at the monthly weekend courses, in addition to their regular classes in Cambridge. The grading weekend this September was another special moment as Steve Morrell, Paul Middleton and Tony Swanser successfully graded to Shodan, making them the first black belt students of the Cambridge dojo. Of course, I can’t write an article about achievements of the Cambridge dojo without mentioning the Gasshuku in Koh Samui in March earlier this year at which Louise passed her Sandan test under some very tough conditions. Many congratulations also to Tony Saunders, Finn Eiles and Jabrane Iguider who graded to Shodan and Ben Lacey and Andy Watson for grading to Sandan. Martin Stockley

I was going to drive to Wigan but after counting the cost and time factor, I decided to go by train. I can’t believe I even thought about driving up there, after only 1 hour 55 minutes I was getting off the train in Wigan. After arriving at the Wigan Youth Zone I was met by Sensei Tony Bewley who managed to arranged this venue. With the generous gesture of allowing the course free of charge because of such a good cause, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Staff for all their help in making this course a great success, I understand that we raised about £2,450. As I was getting changed, my long time friend Sensei Tony Christian 8th Dan BKA arrived followed by Sensei’s Bob Honiball 8th Dan Jundo Kan and Paul Coleman 7th Dan Gojukai and not forgetting my one time student Sensei Kevin Nason 7th Dan GKI, after all the greetings it was down to training. The contingent was spilt into 4 groups, I counted about 147 people from different Goju Ryu Association, this was a great achievement to bring together people that wanted to support and enhance the life of Sensei Paul Coleman, I forgot to mention those people that could not make it that sent in generous donations and we thank you from our hearts. But it was not all about Karate – Do, when the training finished we made our way to a "All You Can Eat" Chinese Restaurant, and the food was scrumptious. When we finished I stayed we Sensei Tony and we reminisced about the old times. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sensei’s Eric Williams and Tony Bewley for bringing together the Goju – Ryu Family. George Andrews

This was the 8th Annual Gasshuku I have conducted in Koh Samui, Thailand and each year there are more people attending however, I have now limited the amount of participants to 30 and by invitation only.

I was invited to conduct a Gasshuku by Kevin and Mika Duff, who stayed and trained in the London Honbu Dojo for 18 months. I was happy to travel to the states at this time of year because the temperature was 25°C with beautiful blue skies.

In Goju Ryu it seems that three is indeed the magic number. At the heart of the system is Sanchin Kata, which translates as Three Battles, referring to the physical, mental and spiritual challenges. The number three also describes regions of the body, Jodan, Chudan and Gedan. For this month, the number three meant consecutive weekends of training courses with Masters of the style.

Sensei Marian Czlkowski invited me to conduct a Gasshuku in Lebork and Wicko. These two towns are in the north of Poland, close to the Sea, during the summer months they are bustling with holiday makers.

Arriving at Catania airport on Sunday, a chartered bus was waiting for some of the people arriving at the same time as me. To my surprise my good friends Rob and Adrienne Langgartner from Canada where on the same bus.